David Lynch: A Complete Retrospective

Thu, Apr 27th, 2017 to Thu, May 4th, 2017

With Twin Peaks' third season airing on Showtime in May, what better way to prepare than with a full submersion into the world of David Lynch? This complete retrospective spans Lynch's entire body of work in film, television, and music.

This retrospective was programmed by Lynch expert Daniel Knox, who has cut together unique 20 minute pre-shows for each feature, and will be presenting a celebration of Twin Peaks for Saturday, April 29th's FIRE WALK WITH ME screening with Bang Bang Pie Shop selling fresh slices of pie.

To commemorate this film festival, the Music Box Theatre will be selling a limited quantity of screen printed posters at the box office as well as serving a Damn Fine Cup of David Lynch Signature Cup Organic Coffee while supplies last.

Blue Velvet

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch

STARRING: Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

Returning home to visit his father who is in intensive care at the hospital, Jeffrey Beaumont stumbles upon a human ear he finds in a field. With local police detective Williams and the local police department unable to investigate, Jeffrey and Sandy, Detective Williams's daughter decide to do their own investigation. But what Jeffrey and Sandy's investigation leads them to discover that a dark underworld exists in their hometown. Jeffrey becomes suspicious of nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens, who is involved with Frank Booth, a violent and evil man.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1986

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 120 mins

Format: 35mm

Blue Velvet Revisited

A FILM BY: Peter Braatz

WRITTEN BY: Peter Braatz

STARRING: David Lynch

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

In 1985, a young German filmmaker Peter Braatz was invited by David Lynch to Wilmington, North Carolina, to document the making of his new film.

Over the following two months Peter was given unrestricted access to set, cast, crew and director, collating hours of behind the scenes footage, in depth interviews and thousands of photographs. The resulting 'No Frank In Lumberton' film, released in 1988 with highly limited distribution, has never been commercially released. Over 70% of the footage collected on set was never ever used. UNTIL NOW.Featuring exclusively never before seen footage, the feature length 'Blue Velvet Revisited' finally offers the most intimate insight into one of the greatest films of the 1980s, and one of the world's greatest ever directors. Described by Braatz as 'a meditation on a movie', the film explores every detail of Lynch's world through an intoxicating combination of impressionistic montage, interview extracts and sound recordings taken on set, all set to a glorious soundtrack. The soundtrack for the film is composed and performed by Cult With No Name, Tuxedomoon and John Foxx, and is released by Crammed Discs.

Technical Information

Production Year: 2016

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 85 mins

Format: DCP

David Lynch Shorts Program

A FILM BY: David Lynch

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

A series of short films by David Lynch including DUMBLAND with more titles to be announced.

Technical Information

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 85 mins

Format: DCP

David Lynch: The Art Life

A FILM BY: Jon Nguyen, Rick Barnes

STARRING: David Lynch

The unique documentary event DAVID LYNCH: THE ART LIFE looks at Lynch’s art, music, and early films, shining a light into the dark corners of his unique world and giving audiences a better understanding of the man and the artist. As he says, “I think every time you do something, like a painting or whatever, you go with ideas, and sometimes the past can conjure those ideas and color them. Even if they’re new ideas, the past colors them.” We’re invited in and given private views from Lynch’s compound and painting studio in the hills high above Hollywood, as he tells personal stories that unfold like scenes from his films. Strange characters come into focus only to fade again into the past, all leaving an indelible mark.

"A keen and rare insight into one of modern art's most fascinating people." --FILM EXPERIENCE

The long-awaited film version of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction epic, Dune, explodes on the screen with dazzling special effects, unforgettable images and powerful performances. The saga of intergalactic warrior Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) and his messianic rise to leadership features an all-star cast, including Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Oscar-winner Linda Hunt and rock legend, Sting. This monumental Dino DeLaurentiis presentation is directed by David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Eraserhead), with photography by Academy Award-winner Freddie Francis, music by Grammy-winner Toto, and incredible monster creation by E.T.‘s Carlo Rambaldi. Visit an unbelievable world beyond and space, and experience the ultimate adventure that goes beyond the imagination.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1984

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 137 mins

Format: DCP

The Elephant Man

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren

STARRING: Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

All the human spirit needs to thrive...is a chance. In one of his most legendary films, director David Lynch chronicles the intense emotional journey of a complex, lonely man and the dedicated surgeon who changed his life. John Merrick (John Hurt) was born with a horribly disfiguring congenital disease, and suffered the humiliation of being a sideshow freak. Only when London doctor Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, RED DRAGON) rescues him does Merrick begin to regain the life of dignity and respect that everyone deserves. Based on a true story, the critically acclaimed, Oscar®-nominated film has earned its place in cinematic history. Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud and Wendy Hiller lend moving performances to an already powerful story. Visually fascinating and historically relevant, Lynch has created a haunting masterpiece of compassion, beauty and ultimately, humanity.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1980

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 124 mins

Format: 35mm

Eraserhead

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch

STARRING: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

In a highly industrialized and somewhat stark alternate reality, Henry learns from the beautiful woman that lives across the hall from him that he has been invited to dinner at the home of Mary and her parents, which surprises him as he has never met Mary's parents and wasn't even sure that he and Mary were still dating or a couple. At the dinner, Henry will learn that there is an ulterior motive to the invitation: Mary has just given birth and her mother expects Henry to marry her daughter. Despite the offspring's premature arrival, Henry initially doesn't believe the baby is his as the math just doesn't compute. Regardless, Mary and the baby move into Henry's small apartment with him. Unable to endure the baby's incessant crying, Mary abandons them, leaving Henry to care for the baby on his own, he unsure if only temporarily or for good. In their solitude, Henry begins to have visions - unclear if they are reality or hallucinations - which point to the possibility that the baby is biologically his, but that perhaps that the world in which they live is controlled by otherworldly forces.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1977

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 89 mins

Format: 35mm

Industrial Symphony No. 1

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch

STARRING: Laura Dern, Nicolas Cage, Julee Cruise

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

After her boyfriend ends their relationship, the dreamself of a heartbroken woman floats through the air over an industrial wasteland singing ballads of love.

Industrial Symphony No. 1 was commissioned from David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti by The Brooklyn Academy Of Music for the NEXT WAVE Festival in 1989. Functioning as a stage interpretation of Julee Cruise's album "Floating Into The Night" it might be the closest we'll ever get to a David Lynch musical. Julee Cruise stars alongside Michael J. Anderson with cameos from Nicholas Cage and Laura Dern.

This rare screening will be followed by a program celebrating David Lynch's work in music, advertising, and television presented by Daniel Knox. Don't make other plans. This will be a long engagement.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1990

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 50 mins

Format: Digital

Inland Empire

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch

STARRING: Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, Justin Theroux

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

A blonde actress is preparing for her biggest role yet, but when she finds herself falling for her co-star, she realizes that her life is beginning to mimic the fictional film that they're shooting. Adding to her confusion is the revelation that the current film is a remake of a doomed Polish production, 47, which was never finished due to an unspeakable tragedy.

Technical Information

Production Year: 2006

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 180 mins

Format: 35mm

Lost Highway

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch, Barry Gifford

STARRING: Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, John Roselius

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

The jazz saxophonist, Fred Madison, is married to Renee and they live in a comfortable house. Fred is suspicious of Renee's relationship with her friend Andy. One morning, Renee finds a videotape on the doorstep of their house with footage showing the inside of their house. They call the police, but the two detectives do not find any clues. Fred and Renee go to a party at Andy's house and Fred has a bizarre encounter with a mysterious man that tells him that they have met before and he is at Fred's house. The upset Fred calls Renee and they go back home. The next morning, Fred finds another videotape and when he watches the film, he sees a bloodbath with Renee murdered in bed with him. He is found guilty of murder of first degree and sentenced to the electric chair. While waiting in the death row, he morphs into the efficient mechanic Peter Raymond Dayton and is released from prison, but followed by two detectives. Pete fixes the car of a powerful and dangerous gangster Mr. Eddy, and when he meets his mistress Alice Wakefield, things begin to get even more complicated.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1997

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 134 mins

Format: 35mm

Meditation, Creativity, Peace

A FILM BY: David Lynch

STARRING: David Lynch

This is a free screening. A Pass guarantees admission.

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

Director David Lynch embarks on a tour of 16 countries to speak to college students and members of the public about meditation, films and his charitable foundation.

Technical Information

Production Year: 2012

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 71 mins

Format: Digital

Mulholland Drive

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch

STARRING: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

After a brutal car accident in Los Angeles, California, Rita is the sole survivor but suffers mass amnesia. Wandering into a strangers apartment downtown, her story strangely intertwines with Betty Elms, a perky young woman in search of stardom. However, Betty is intrigued by Rita's situation and is willing to put aside her dreams to pursue this mystery. The two women soon discover that nothing is as it seems in the city of dreams.

Technical Information

Production Year: 2001

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 147 mins

Format: 35mm

The Straight Story

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: John Roach, Mary Sweeney

STARRING: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek , Jane Galloway Heitz

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

Seventy-three year old Alvin Straight is a simple living and stubborn man who lives on his social security. He needs to do things on his own terms. He is in failing health. Both his hips are shot, which requires him to use two canes to walk. He is diabetic. He has emphysema from years of smoking. And he has poor eyesight. Beyond the obvious maladies, he doesn't tell his mentally disabled daughter Rose, who lives with him, of many of these issues. He learns that his brother Lyle Straight, from who he has been estranged for ten years, has just suffered a heart attack. Because of both his and Lyle's mortality, Alvin wants to make peace with his brother before it's too late, which means traveling from his home in the rural town of Laurens, Iowa to Lyle's home in rural Mount Zion, Wisconsin. As with other issues in his life, he needs to make the trip on his own terms, which means on his own. As he doesn't possess a driver's license and since his eyesight is bad, he decides to make the trip driving his aged riding lawn mover towing a trailer which will carry his gear and double as his sleeping quarters. After one mis-start, he is on his way. On that trip, he affects and is affected by those he encounters. But he just hopes that he can finish the trip the way he started it, and before either he, Lyle or the lawn mower give out for good.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1999

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 112 mins

Format: 35mm

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: David Lynch, Robert Engels

STARRING: Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, Mädchen Amick

Special pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 30m before showtime | This show will run late with a surprise post-film screening

A young FBI agent disappears while investigating a murder miles from Twin Peaks that may be related to the future murder of Laura Palmer; the last week of the life of Laura Palmer is chronicled.

Technical Information

Production Year: 1992

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Run Time: 135 mins

Format: DCP

Wild at Heart

A FILM BY: David Lynch

WRITTEN BY: Barry Gifford (novel), David Lynch (screenplay)

STARRING: Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Willem Dafoe

X-rated Version

Pre-show by Daniel Knox begins 20m before showtime.

Young lovers Sailor and Lula take off for New Orleans following Sailor's release from prison, with Lula's hysterical mother, a weary detective and a sinister hitman after them. During their journey, Lula and Sailor relate the events of their lives to date, while encountering a typical gallery of Lynch grotesques. After being stranded in a small town, Sailor agrees to join the loathsome Bobby Peru in a criminal venture.